Aquarium Light For Planted Tank
The electromagnetic spectrum is a chart representing the different wavelengths of light.
Aquarium light for planted tank. Anecdotal evidence also suggests that stronger red blue light produces plants in significantly better growth forms plants grow more compact with fuller leaves. You can use almost any type or brand of light to grow plants as long as you have enough light intensity but we highly recommend getting an led light rather than fluorescent compact fluorescent cf or other light technology. At the minimum we recommend 50 of the tubes in a t5 array to be changed to pink red gro tubes.
For example for a w90 x d45 x h45 cm 36 x 18 x 18 inch tank of approximately 180 liters about 50 gallons a single 150w metal halide lamp or a 150w metal halide lamp with two 36w power compact. Meaning 2 4 of a 4 tube t5 array. Plants with a low light requirement might do well with only 6 hours of light while more demanding plants might need more than 8.
Light is one of the most important aspects of having a planted tank. In mix of plants with varying lighting needs the intensity of the light should be matched to the level where the light loving plants grow well. Strength spectrum and spread are all important factors when buying lights.
The right aquarium light can affect everything from plants coloration growth rates and even algae control. For a comfortable low or cool light aquarium lighting setting the goobat planted led aquarium lighting system is a great option especially for small aquariums with plants. Specific to the low light planted aquarium since co2 is already limited in a low tech tank nutrients and light quantity need to be supplied in proportionate ammounts which is to say slightly reduced fertilizer and light.
Our aquarium led light options depend on the type of tank we are planning to have high tech or low tech planted tank. How many hours light for a planted aquarium. Low tech planted tank par 30 at 18 inches 45 cm from the light to the substrate means that it is good for low light demanding plants and that you will not use co2.
A finnex stingray led light would be considered low light on an aquarium that s 21 inches tall but that same light on a 12 inch tall tank could easily grow medium light plants. The lights are powerful enough that real life users with small aquariums report that a non planted aquarium will rage with algae growth and owners will soon convert. Planted tanks only need about 8 10 hours of light each day to grow healthy plants.